MONROE - Becca Armstrong turned in a dominating pitching performance as the Monroe softball team stayed unbeaten with a 7-2 win over Oregon on Monday, April 15.
Armstrong, a senior, pitched seven innings and struck out 15. She gave up just two hits and the two runs she gave up were unearned and came on an error in the fourth inning.
"Coach Buvid has been working with me to throw harder," Armstrong said. "I knew that is what he would want me to do. It seems like I got ahead in the count. That helps me because I was able to throw all my pitches. My rise ball worked very good. If we want to win the conference, we had to win this game."
Monroe assistant coach Noel Herbst filled in as head coach because Dale Buvid was at the Boston Marathon watching his son, Dan run (see front page story).
Monroe (4-0, 2-0 Badger South) jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Monroe junior Ellie Grossen, who went 1-for-3 with three stolen bases and two runs scored, walked to lead off the first. Junior Kayla Updike then delivered an RBI single and junior Taylor O'Leksy had an RBI single to give the Cheesemakers a 2-0 lead. O'Leksy scored the third run on a Panthers' error.
Armstrong walked the lead off hitter in the fifth and then Oregon No. 9 hitter, CeeCee Herale doubled to center. With two runners in scoring position and no outs, Armstrong pitched out of the jam by striking out the side.
"Part of it was her confidence," Herbst said. "The movement was there. That is the best I have seen her pitch this season. She has taken on the challenge and moved to the next level. We know this is how she has to pitch when we play Milton (on Thursday)."
Monroe junior Samantha Hose singled in the fourth to set up the next run for the Cheesemakers. Senior Briana Katzenberger came through with an RBI groundout to give the Cheesemakers a 4-2 lead. The Cheesemakers put the game away with a two-run sixth. Junior Katie Holmes walked. Junior Kirsten Vetterli then delivered an RBI triple and senior Elicia Frie had a pinch-hit RBI single to give the Cheesemakers the 7-2 win.
The Cheesemakers had eight stolen bases.
"We always want to be aggressive on the bases, stealing and taking the extra base when they are there," Grossen said.
Monroe made the most of their baserunning opportunities, after managing just five hits off Oregon starting pitcher Randi Ortman. Ortman pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up six runs.
"We struggled a little bit on offense," Grossen said. "We had a hard time against her and she is a slower pitcher. We have to slow down. The weather shouldn't be an issue. If we want to be a good team, we have to be a good team all the time no matter what the weather."
Herbst said the Cheesemakers had to be patient in the batter's box.
"We were not following through with the ball," Herbst said. "They finally figured out we had to slow down, be patient and get better pitch selection. That got us going."
Monroe is scheduled to play six games this week. The Cheesemakers host Madison Edgewood today and host Milton on Thursday.
"Our goal is to be at the top of the conference," Herbst said. "That was huge. We know we have to win all the games we can because Fort Atkinson is not going to lose many."
Armstrong, a senior, pitched seven innings and struck out 15. She gave up just two hits and the two runs she gave up were unearned and came on an error in the fourth inning.
"Coach Buvid has been working with me to throw harder," Armstrong said. "I knew that is what he would want me to do. It seems like I got ahead in the count. That helps me because I was able to throw all my pitches. My rise ball worked very good. If we want to win the conference, we had to win this game."
Monroe assistant coach Noel Herbst filled in as head coach because Dale Buvid was at the Boston Marathon watching his son, Dan run (see front page story).
Monroe (4-0, 2-0 Badger South) jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Monroe junior Ellie Grossen, who went 1-for-3 with three stolen bases and two runs scored, walked to lead off the first. Junior Kayla Updike then delivered an RBI single and junior Taylor O'Leksy had an RBI single to give the Cheesemakers a 2-0 lead. O'Leksy scored the third run on a Panthers' error.
Armstrong walked the lead off hitter in the fifth and then Oregon No. 9 hitter, CeeCee Herale doubled to center. With two runners in scoring position and no outs, Armstrong pitched out of the jam by striking out the side.
"Part of it was her confidence," Herbst said. "The movement was there. That is the best I have seen her pitch this season. She has taken on the challenge and moved to the next level. We know this is how she has to pitch when we play Milton (on Thursday)."
Monroe junior Samantha Hose singled in the fourth to set up the next run for the Cheesemakers. Senior Briana Katzenberger came through with an RBI groundout to give the Cheesemakers a 4-2 lead. The Cheesemakers put the game away with a two-run sixth. Junior Katie Holmes walked. Junior Kirsten Vetterli then delivered an RBI triple and senior Elicia Frie had a pinch-hit RBI single to give the Cheesemakers the 7-2 win.
The Cheesemakers had eight stolen bases.
"We always want to be aggressive on the bases, stealing and taking the extra base when they are there," Grossen said.
Monroe made the most of their baserunning opportunities, after managing just five hits off Oregon starting pitcher Randi Ortman. Ortman pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up six runs.
"We struggled a little bit on offense," Grossen said. "We had a hard time against her and she is a slower pitcher. We have to slow down. The weather shouldn't be an issue. If we want to be a good team, we have to be a good team all the time no matter what the weather."
Herbst said the Cheesemakers had to be patient in the batter's box.
"We were not following through with the ball," Herbst said. "They finally figured out we had to slow down, be patient and get better pitch selection. That got us going."
Monroe is scheduled to play six games this week. The Cheesemakers host Madison Edgewood today and host Milton on Thursday.
"Our goal is to be at the top of the conference," Herbst said. "That was huge. We know we have to win all the games we can because Fort Atkinson is not going to lose many."
